KARACHI: Nadra to expand bill machine network

Published December 29, 2005

KARACHI, Dec 28: Latest technology will be used to bring more projects to facilitate citizens in solving their day-to-day problems. “In this regard, Nadra’s bill payment machines would facilitate the general public in paying their utility bills without waiting for hours in long queues,” said Nadra chairman, Brig Saleem Ahmed Moeen while talking to newsmen at the Nadra’s centre in Nazimabad on Wednesday.

He said that Nadra has developed the concept of bill payment in view of the difficulties of general public. The machines would enable general public to pay their utility bills and get pin codes for their pre-paid mobile connections through these bill machines, he explained.

Brig Saleem said the system is customer- friendly and will enable public to pay their bills in style and dignity, which is likely to transform the bill payment culture in the times to come.

He told newsmen that Nadra has installed around 40 machines in Karachi and Islamabad while the number would grow to 500 by June, adding Sargodha, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar by March to the network.

He said Nadra has already signed MoUs for usage of these machines by customers of Sui Southern and Sui Northern Gas companies, Islamabad and Karachi electric supply corporations besides Ufone, Instaphone and Warid Telecom.

More than 200,000 potential customers have got themselves enrolled for payment of their utility bills through these machines, he pointed out and said for enrolment, people are required to bring along their utility bills (telephone, gas, electricity) of the premises where they are residing along with their Computerized National Identity Card.

Consumer numbers of the utility bills will be mapped with the CNICs.

He said the consumers can also nominate other persons ie other family members and servants who can pay the bill on their behalf by providing their CNIC No. With one time enrolment with Nadra, people can avail this facility.

“The machine has the capability to deal with various day-to-day transactions involving the payment to service sectors and it would help general public by easing their problems in payment of the bills. It offers a unique opportunity for all financial and commercial institutions and service sector organizations to improve their workflows and provide greater satisfaction to their clients, Brig Saleem informed.

He said in a bid to provide more facilities to the people, the system has been designed as per the ISO-8583 standards. A common man can use this system by registering himself at any NSRC and he can also nominate other persons for payment of his utility bills.—APP